Swivel coupler for electrical



June 28, 1955 H. R. BAUMANN 2,712,116

SWIVEL COUPLER FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Filed Sept. 11, 1951 FIG. .1.Fig. 2.

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BY 40% Z?)Qm A TTOF/VEY United States Patent I SWIVEL COUPLER FORELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS Harry B a'um'ann, Los Angeles, Calif. ApplicationSeptember 11 1951, Serial No. 246,103

2 Claims. (Cl. 339--8) This invention relates to coupling devices forelectrical conductors, and it has particular reference to a swivelcoupling for electric cords or conductors for appliances, and itsprincipal object resides in the provision of a device by which anelectric conductor can be prevented from kinking, twisting, or otherwisebeing distorted while the flow of electric current can be maintained anduninterrupted.

Another object of the invention is that of providing a coupling devicewhich is simple and economical in design yet dependable in aflordingflexibility for the conductor without impairing its function.

A still further object of the invention resides in the provision of acompact structure comprising a minimum of parts yet capable of beingdisassembled at will for repair or cleaning, or removed and installed byunskilled persons, a sectional shell being provided for the assemblywhich can be readily and easily removed.

Broadly, the invention contemplates the provision of a swivel couplerfor electrical conductors having structural features enabling the use ofthe same in any type of wiring, such as telephone or signal circuits,and aid in preserving the conductors against impairment to theirinsulation which often results in hazards to life and property throughexposed wires.

While the foregoing objects are paramount, other and lesser objects willbecome manifest as the description proceeds, taken in connection withthe appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inventionillustrating the association of the plug, the casing therefor andexternal sectional housing.

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the casing showing the conductorstrips thereon for connecting conductor wires to the conductor bandswithin the casing.

Figure 3 is an elevational view of the plug member showing the mandrelportion thereof and illustrating the plurality of different lengthconductor strips thereon.

Figure 4 is a plan view of the casing member, shown in Figure 2, andillustrating the several conductor strips and their terminals.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the conductor strips for thecasing member.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the conductor strips on theplug member, and

Figure 7 is a perspective illustration of the assembled coupling havingconductors connected thereto.

It is a prime object of the invention to provide a coupling device whichcomprises a pair of rotatively connected members, each being attached toa length of electrical conductor, yet having an outer shell or casingwhich can be freely rotated without affecting the conductor in which thedevice is connected.

The device, therefore, primarily comprises a round plug 10 which isformed with a mandrel portion 11 extending from the main body and whichis preferably hollow to afford a chamber 12 therein, as shown in Figurel. Opposite the mandrel portion 11 is an integral cylindri- 2,712,116Patented niuune 28, 1955 cal neck 13 through which a conductor 14 canextend so that the ends of the wires therein can be connected to theplug 10 in a manner which will be presently de scribed.

The plug 10 has a plurality of indentations 15 spaced therearound whichextend from points well within the body portion 16 into the mandrelportion 11, and these indentations have passages 17 communicatingtherewith which extend into the hollow neck 13 so that conductor wirescan be arranged therethrough and connected to terminal screws 18 whichsecure, at their inner ends, a plurality of flexible conductor strips 19of different lengths, one of which is arranged in each of theindentations 15 and has its free end tensioned outwardly and formed witha contact member 20 whose function will presently become manifest.

A cap or casing 21 is provided to conformably embrace the mandrelportion 11 and be rotated thereon. The casing 21, shown in Figure 2, hasa series of metal bands 22 circumscribing its interior and spaced apartaxially of the casing 21.

A series of elongated recesses or indentations 23 are formed in thecasing 21, and longitudinally of its axis, and spaced circumferentially.In each of the indentations 23 is a flexible metal conductor strip 24and each has a passage 25 which provides communications between thecylindrical neck portion 26 formed thereon through which a conductor 27can be arranged, the wires extending through passages 25 and secured byterminal screws 28 which retain the strips 24, as shown in Figures 1, 2and 4.

Each of the strips 24 has contact opposite its screw 28 with one of thebands 22 so that electric current can flow through the device while themembers 10 and 21 are rotated with respect to each other, the conductorstrips 19 having sliding contacts with the bands 22. Ohviously, theremay be any desired number of the bands 22 and the conductor strips 19and 24. Figures 2, 3 and 4 illustrate structures which embody threeterminals in order to provide for either or 220 volt circuits.

The assembled members 10 and 21 are housed within a shell which isformed in two sections 29 and 30, the latter having an internallythreaded flange 31 which is adapted to receive an externally threadedportion 32 on the member 29. The opposing ends of the members 29 and 39have apertures 33 and 34 therein which concentrically embrace the necks13 and 26 of the plug 10 and the casing 21, as shown in Figures 1 and 7,so that the entire assembly of the sections 10 and 21 can rotate freelyin the shell formed by the sections 29 and 30.

Manifestly, the structure herein shown and described is capable ofcertain modifications, from time to time, by persons skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit and intent of the invention or thescope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A swivel coupler for electrical conductors comprising, a cylindricalplug having a mandrel portion formed axially therewith and an integralboss extending oppositely from said mandrel portion, a plurality ofindentations formed in said mandrel portion longitudinally thereof andextending into the body portion of said plug, tensioned contactconductive strips of different lengths secured at one end to the bodyportion of said plug in each of said indentations and having contactmeans at their free ends, each of said strips having means on itssecured end for attaching electrical conductors thereto, a hollow memberrotatively embracing said mandrel portion and having a series of bandsarranged circumferentially therewithin and spaced longitudinally of theaxis thereof whereby the said contact means on said strips slidablyengage said bands, means for connecting electrical conductors to saidbands, and a sectional shell rotatively embracing said plug and saidhollow member.

2. A swivel coupler for electrical conductors comprising a cylindricalplug having a mandrel portion formed therewith and a plurality oftherein and extending into said mandrel portion indentations formedlongitudinally thereof, each having a tensioned conductor strip thereinattached at one end to the body portion of said plug, the

said strips having dilferent lengths and extending along saidindentations, a cylindrical casing having a series of conductive bandsarranged circumferentially interiorly thereof and spaced longitudinallyof its axis engageable by the free ends of said strips, means forconnecting a conductor Wire to each of said bands, the said casingrotatively embracing said mandrel portion whereby said strips have asliding contact with said bands, and a sectional shell rotativelyembracing said plug and said casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS296,355 Ritchie Apr. 8, 1884 1,379,795 Allen May 31, 1921 2,465,022Laubi Mar. 22, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS 619,280 France Mar. 30, 1927 687,051France Aug. 4, 1930

